Cults. Week 2. June 26, Mark Edward Sohmer Fellowship Bible Church Summer 2005

Transcription

1 Cults Week 2 June 26, 2005 Mark Edward Sohmer mark@sohmer.net Fellowship Bible Church Summer 2005 notes and other materials available at: 1

2 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society a.k.a. Jehovah's Witnesses 2

3 Overview Founder: Charles Taze Russell Founding Date: 1879 Official Publication: The Watchtower and Awake! magazines are published semi-monthly. They also publish one to two doctrinal study books each year. The Watchman Expositor; Profile: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society; Watchman Fellowship; 3

4 Overview Organization Structure: Headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, the organization is led by a president and a group of men known as The Governing Body. This group oversees every aspect of the organization including the material that is written for the periodicals and the study books. Unique Terms: The local congregation is called a Kingdom Hall. The Watchtower sometimes refers to itself as a Theocratic Organization or an organization which is directed by God. The Watchman Expositor; Profile: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society; Watchman Fellowship; 4

5 History Born in 1852, Charles Taze Russell founded the Zion's Watch Tower in 1879 and later incorporated the group under the name Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society in Because of his rejection of the doctrine of Hell, he would go on to reject nearly every other Christian doctrine as well as add many physically and spiritually dangerous doctrines of his own making. Many of these unique and bizarre teachings were to be found in his six volume series titled, Studies in the Scriptures. The Watchman Expositor; Profile: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society; Watchman Fellowship; 5

6 History Beginning with only a few followers in the 1880's, Russell began to spread his message to the world. In 1893 the first "national assembly" was held in Chicago. It was attended by "about 360" followers of Russell's teachings. At the conclusion of the assembly, Russell explains, "The Calvary Baptist Church of Chicago very kindly granted us the use of their baptistery; and, in all, 70 symbolized their baptism into Christ's death by immersion into water" (Jehovah's Witnesses In The Divine Purpose, p. 33). It was from this first national assembly that the idea for local assemblies grew into today's practice. The Watchman Expositor; Profile: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society; Watchman Fellowship; 6

7 Thought to Ponder There is a lesson we must learn from the Calvary Baptist Church of Chicago. 7

8 History Russell died in 1916 and was replaced by the second president, Joseph F. Rutherford. "A process of replacing Russell's writings with Rutherford's began in 1921 with the publication of Rutherford's Harp of God. Between 1921 and 1941, Rutherford was to write twenty books and numerous pamphlets, which would slowly revise the doctrine and structure left him by Russell" (Encyclopedia of American Religions, G. Melton, Vol. 1, p. 485). The Watchman Expositor; Profile: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society; Watchman Fellowship; 8

9 History Rutherford had many critics. Some of the former followers of Russell's theology left the group and began their own organization. This was the beginning of groups such as the Laymen's Home Missionary Movement and later the Dawn Bible Students Association. Because of the confusion being caused by these and other new groups, the name of the organization was officially changed in 1931 to the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society (Jehovah's Witnesses In the Divine Purpose, p ). The Watchman Expositor; Profile: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society; Watchman Fellowship; 9

10 Disunity in the Cults Many cults claim that the "church" is splintered with so many denominations. Yet these same cults also have splintered, and they have not existed for 2,000 years like the church has! 10

11 History It was under Rutherford's leadership that the organization began to experience its phenomenal growth. In 1928, the organization recorded 44,000 members and by his death in 1942, their membership had grown to over 115,000. Part of this growth can be attributed to Rutherford's insistence that the world was about to end and Armageddon was to happen any day. The Watchman Expositor; Profile: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society; Watchman Fellowship; 11

12 History The next president, Nathan H. Knorr, would streamline the organization... In 1943, he began the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead. This was to be the forerunner of the Jehovah's Witnesses teaching methods of today. It was also under Knorr's leadership that the New World Translation was published. At Knorr's death in 1977, the Watchtower had over 2.2 million members (Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, 1978, p. 30). Under the leadership of Frederick W. Franz, fourth president, the Watchtower reached a total membership of over four million members. With Franz death in 1992, the current president, Milton G. Henschel, took the helm. The Watchman Expositor; Profile: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society; Watchman Fellowship; 12

13 Watchtower Presidents: Charles Taze Russell ( ) Joseph F. Rutherford ( ) Nathan H. Knorr ( ) Frederick W. Franz ( ) Milton G. Henschel ( ) Don A. Adams (2003 present) 13

14 Overview of Watchtower Doctrines: Rejection of the "Trinity" Jesus is a created being Jesus is the Archangel Michael Jesus was not physically resurrected from the dead The Holy Spirit is an impersonal force New World Translation Watchtower organization is a Prophet Against blood transfusions, vaccinations, and organ donations Against serving in the armed forces Against celebrating holidays: birthdays, Christmas, Mother's/Father's Day, etc. more 14

15 Cults Week 3 July 3, 2005 Mark Edward Sohmer mark@sohmer.net Fellowship Bible Church Summer 2005 notes and other materials available at: 15

16 Review 16

17 Jehovah's Witnesses Overview Founder: Charles Taze Russell Founding Date: 1879 Official Publication: The Watchtower and Awake! magazines are published semi-monthly. They also publish one to two doctrinal study books each year. The Watchman Expositor; Profile: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society; Watchman Fellowship; 17

18 Watchtower Presidents: Charles Taze Russell ( ) Joseph F. Rutherford ( ) Nathan H. Knorr ( ) Frederick W. Franz ( ) Milton G. Henschel ( ) Don A. Adams (2003 present) 18

19 Overview of Watchtower Doctrines: Rejection of the "Trinity" Jesus is a created being Jesus is the Archangel Michael Jesus was not physically resurrected from the dead The Holy Spirit is an impersonal force New World Translation Watchtower organization is a Prophet Against blood transfusions, vaccinations, and organ donations Against serving in the armed forces Against celebrating holidays: birthdays, Christmas, Mother's/Father's Day, etc. more 19

20 New Material 20

21 Watchtower Claims to be Prophet "A third way of coming to know Jehovah God is through his representatives. In ancient times he sent prophets as his special messengers. While these men foretold things to come, they also served the people by telling them of God's will for them at that time, often also warning them of dangers and calamities. The Watchtower; April 1,

22 Watchtower Claims to be Prophet "People today can view the creative works. They have at hand the Bible, but it is little read or understood. So, does Jehovah have a prophet to help them, to warn them of dangers and to declare things to come? These questions can be answered in the affirmative. Who is this prophet? The Watchtower; April 1,

23 Watchtower Claims to be Prophet "This 'prophet' was not one man, but was a body of men and women. It was the small group of footstep followers of Jesus Christ, known at that time as International Bible Students. Today they are known as Jehovah's Christian witnesses. They are still proclaiming a warning, and have been joined and assisted in their commissioned work by hundreds of thousands of persons who have listened to their message with belief. The Watchtower; April 1,

24 Watchtower Claims to be Prophet "Jehovah's Witnesses today make their declaration of the good news of the Kingdom under angelic direction and support. (Rev. 14:6, 7; Matt. 25:31, 32) And since no word or work of Jehovah can fail, for he is God Almighty, the nations will see the fulfillment of what these witnesses say as directed from heaven. The Watchtower; April 1,

25 Watchtower Claims to be Prophet "Yes, the time must come shortly that the nations will have to know that really a 'prophet' of Jehovah was among them, Actually now more than a million and a half persons are helping that collective or composite "prophet" in his preaching work and well over that number of others are studying the Bible with the 'prophet' group and its companions." The Watchtower; April 1,

26 Riches;

27 Riches;

28 Prophecies of the Watchtower 1873 "The Bible chronology herein presented shows that the six great thousand-year Days beginning with Adam are ended, and that the great Seventh Day, the thousand years of Christ's Reign, began in 1873." Studies in the Scriptures; The Time is at Hand, Volume 2, early editions, p. 2 (forward) 1874 "The Millennium began in 1874, with the Return of Christ." Studies in the Scriptures; The Finished Mystery, Volume 7, p

29 Prophecies of the Watchtower 1874 "Surely there is not the slightest room for doubt in the mind of the truly consecrated child of God that the Lord Jesus is present and has been since 1874." The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence; January 1, 1924, p "The scriptural proof is that the second presence of the Lord Jesus Christ began in 1874 A.D." Prophecy; p

30 Prophecies of the Watchtower 1874 "Our Lord, the appointed King, is now present, since October 1874 A.D., according to the testimony of the prophets to those who have ears to hear it" Studies in the Scriptures; Volume 4, p "the 'body' or 'bride' of Christ will have been tested and accepted and will have passed beyond the veil before the close of A.D " Studies in the Scriptures; Thy Kingdom Come, Volume 3, early editions, p

31 Prophecies of the Watchtower 1914 "By 1914 the Lord will have full control. Gentile governments will be overthrown; body of Christ will be glorified; Jerusalem will no longer be trodden; Israel's blindness will be turned away; there will be world-wide anarchy; and God's kingdom will take the place of man's governments." Studies in the Scriptures; The Time is at Hand, Volume 2, early editions, pp "the full establishment of the Kingdom of God in the Earth at A.D. 1914" Studies in the Scriptures; The Time is at Hand, Volume 2, early editions, pp

32 Prophecies of the Watchtower 1914 "the 'battle of the great day of God Almighty' (rev. 16:14), which will end in A.D with the complete overthrow of the earth's present rulership, is already commenced." Studies in the Scriptures; The Time is at Hand, Volume 2, early editions, pp "There is no reason for changing the figures; they are God's dates, not ours; 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but the end!" Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence; July 15, 1894, p

33 Prophecies of the Watchtower 1918 "Reexamine Volume 2, pages 246 and 247; change the 37 to 40, 70 to 73 and 1914 to 1918, and we believe it is correct and will be fulfilled 'with great power and glory.'" Studies in the Scriptures; The Finished Mystery, Volume 7, p "What will the year 1918 bring forth?... The Christian looks for the year to bring the full consummation of the church's hopes." The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence; January 1, 1918, p

34 Prophecies of the Watchtower 1918 "Also in the year 1918, when God destroys the churches wholesale and the church members by millions, it shall be that any that escape shall come to the works of Pastor Russell to learn the meaning of the downfall of 'Christianity.'" Studies in the Scriptures; The Finished Mystery, 1917 edition, p "Not one vestige of it shall survive the ravages of world-wide all embracing anarchy, in the fall of (Rev. II: 7-13)." The Finished Mystery, 1917, p. 542 [The 1926 ed. reads: "in the end of the time of trouble."]) 34

35 Prophecies of the Watchtower 1925 "Our thought is, that 1925 is definitely settled by the Scriptures. As to Noah, the Christian now has much more upon which to base his faith than Noah had upon which to base his faith in a coming deluge." The Watchtower; April 1, 1923, p "Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old, particularly those named by the Apostle in Hebrews 11, to the condition of human perfection." Millions Now Living Will Never Die; p

36 Prophecies of the Watchtower 1925 "we may expect 1925 to witness the return of these faithful men of Israel from the condition of death, being resurrected." Millions Now Living Will Never Die; p "The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the Scriptures than 1914." The Watchtower; September 1, 1922, p

37 Beth Sarim House of the Princes "At San Diego, California, there is a small piece of land, on which, in the year 1929, there was built a house, which is called and known as Beth Sarim. The Hebrew words Beth Sarim mean 'House of the Princes;' and the purpose of acquiring that property and building the house was that there might be some tangible proof that there are those on earth today who fully believe God and Christ Jesus and in His kingdom, and who believe that the faithful men of old will soon be resurrected by the Lord, be back on earth, and take charge of the visible affairs of earth." Salvation; p

38 Beth Sarim House of the Princes "hence those faithful men of old may be expected back from the dead any day now. The Scriptures give good reason to believe that it shall be shortly before Armageddon breaks. "In this expectation the house at San Diego, California, which house has been much publicized with malicious intent by the religious enemy, was built, in 1930, and named 'Beth-Sarim,' meaning 'House of the Princes.' It is now held in trust for the occupancy of those princes on their return." The New World; p

39 Beth Sarim House of the Princes In 1948, after Rutherford's death, Beth Sarim was sold. In 1975, The Watchtower claimed that Beth Sarim was built for Judge Rutherford's use, not for Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the other patriarchs. (Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, p.194) The original deed of the property as well as Rutherford's own writings prove that it was built for the patriarchs based on the Watchtower's prophesy of their return. 39

40 Prophecies of the Watchtower 1931 "There was a measure of disappointment on the part of Jehovah's faithful ones on earth concerning the years 1914, 1918 and 1925, which disappointment lasted for a time. Later the faithful learned that these dates were definitely fixed in the Scriptures; and they also learned to quit fixing dates for the future and predicting what would come to pass on a certain date, but to rely (and they do rely) upon the Word of God as to the events that must come to pass." Vindication; Judge Rutherford, 1931, pp

41 Prophecies of the Watchtower 1940 "The year 1940 is certain to be the most important year yet because Armageddon is very near. It behooves all who love righteousness to put forth every effort to advertise The Theocracy while the privileges are still open." The Informant; April 1940, p "Armageddon is surely near" Children; p "the remaining months before Armageddon." The Watchtower; September 15, 1941, p

42 Prophecies of the Watchtower 1968 "True, there have been those in times past who predicted an 'end' to the world, even announcing a specific date. Yet nothing happened. The 'end' did not come. They were guilty of false prophesying. Why? What was missing? Missing from such people were God's truths and the evidence that He was using and guiding them." Awake!; October 8, "Man's creation was 4026 B.C.E.; 6000 years from man's creation will end in 1975; the 7 th period of 100 years will begin in the fall of 1975." Life Everlasting In Freedom of the Sons of God; 1968, pp

43 Prophecies of the Watchtower 1975 "The 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ (the millennium) will run parallel with the seventh millennium of man's existence which is to start in the fall of 1975." Life Everlasting In Freedom of the Sons of God; 1968, pp "Are we to assume from this study that the battle of Armageddon will be all over by the autumn of 1975, and the long-looked-for thousand-year reign of Christ will begin by then? Possibly It may involve only a difference of weeks or months, not years." The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom; August 15, 1968, p

44 Prophecies of the Watchtower 1975 "Yes, the end of this system is so very near! Is that not reason to increase our activity?... Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world's end." Kingdom Ministry; May 1974, p. 3 44

45 Prophecies of the Watchtower 1975 "In view of the short time left, a decision to pursue a career in this system of things is not only unwise but extremely dangerous Many young brothers and sisters were offered scholarships or employment that promised fine pay. However, they turned them down and put spiritual interests first." Kingdom Ministry; June 1969, p. 3 45

46 Prophecies of the Watchtower 1975 "It may be that some who have been serving God have planned their lives according to a mistaken view of just what was to happen on a certain date or in a certain year. They may have, for this reason, put off or neglected things that they otherwise would have cared for. But they have missed the point of the Bibles warnings concerning the end of this system of things, thinking that Bible chronology reveals the specific date." Watchtower; July 15, 1976, p

47 Why Does This Matter? Because the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society CLAIMS to be God's prophet today. 47

48 Watchtower Claims to be Prophet "This 'prophet' was not one man, but was a body of men and women. It was the small group of footstep followers of Jesus Christ, known at that time as International Bible Students. Today they are known as Jehovah's Christian witnesses. They are still proclaiming a warning, and have been joined and assisted in their commissioned work by hundreds of thousands of persons who have listened to their message with belief. The Watchtower; April 1,

49 Watchtower Claims to be Prophet "Jehovah's Witnesses today make their declaration of the good news of the Kingdom under angelic direction and support. (Rev. 14:6, 7; Matt. 25:31, 32) And since no word or work of Jehovah can fail, for he is God Almighty, the nations will see the fulfillment of what these witnesses say as directed from heaven. The Watchtower; April 1,

50 Watchtower Claims to be Prophet "Yes, the time must come shortly that the nations will have to know that really a 'prophet' of Jehovah was among them, Actually now more than a million and a half persons are helping that collective or composite "prophet" in his preaching work and well over that number of others are studying the Bible with the 'prophet' group and its companions." The Watchtower; April 1,

51 The Bible Gives Us a Way to Test Alleged Prophets! Deuteronomy 18:21-22 And in case you should say in your heart: "How shall we know the word that Jehovah has not spoken?" when the prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah and the word does not occur or come true, that is the word that Jehovah did not speak. With presumptuousness the prophet spoke it. You must not get frightened at him. New World Translation 51

52 Overview of Watchtower Prophesies: 1000 year reign of Christ (millennium) to begin in year reign of Christ (millennium) to begin in 1874 return of Christ (second presence) in 1874 God's people to "pass beyond the veil" before close of 1910 By 1914, Jesus has full control. Gentile governments overthrown. World-wide anarchy. Full establishment of Kingdom of God in the Earth. God's Kingdom replaces man's governments. In 1918 God will destroy the "churches wholesale" and "church members by millions" Fall of 1920 will bring "world-wide all embracing anarchy 1925 will bring the resurrection of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and other Patriarchs 1940 was to be "the most important year yet" because Armageddon was very near 1000 year reign of Christ (millennium) to begin in

53 The Bible Gives Us a Way to Test Alleged Prophets! Deuteronomy 18:21-22 And in case you should say in your heart: "How shall we know the word that Jehovah has not spoken?" when the prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah and the word does not occur or come true, that is the word that Jehovah did not speak. With presumptuousness the prophet spoke it. You must not get frightened at him. New World Translation 53

54 The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society has a history of many false prophecies. According to Deuteronomy 18:21-22, that makes them a false prophet. Matthew 7:15 Be on the watch for the false prophets that come to YOU in sheep's covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves. New World Translation 54

55 Why This Matters? Followers of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society are trusting in the organization (their prophet). The organization has proven untrustworthy. A Jehovah's Witness's foundation is the Watchtower organization. By God's grace, if a Jehovah's Witness sees the Watchtower organization as an untrustworthy foundation, perhaps he/she will flee to the firm foundation of the Lord Jesus Christ! 55

56 How To Use False Prophesies? JW: Well, we've never claimed to be prophets. Christian: May I show you something? Here are photocopies from Watchtower sources where the Society claims to be a "composite prophet." What's that? JW: It's important to understand that we are not inspired prophets. Christian: The Watchtower Society has claimed to be a prophet comparing itself to Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Isaiah, etc. Were those Old Testament prophets inspired? Besides, an uninspired prophet is a false "Whore of Babylon" in the Book of Revelation. Christian Research Institute: 56

57 How To Use False Prophesies? JW: Really, we're only prophets in a sense. Christian: I would agree a prophet in a false sense! JW: No you see, we're only humans, and humans make mistakes. Christian: Deuteronomy 18:20 22 says clearly that a mistaken prophet is a false prophet. JW: But we admitted our mistakes, so we're not false prophets. Christian: Wait a minute! Think about it: Where does the Bible teach that after a prophecy fails, if the prophet admits he made a mistake he is no longer a false prophet? JW: But what about Jonah and his prophecy? Christian Research Institute: 57

58 How To Use False Prophesies? Christian: God told Jonah to preach to Nineveh so that the Ninevites, being convicted of their sinful condition, would repent. They did repent, and God spared them at that time (Jonah 3). JW: Well, in any case, the light is getting brighter. Christian: You mean Proverbs 4:18? [JW nods] Would you please turn in your Bible to that verse and read it to me? [Wait for the JW to read it aloud, then ask:] When a false prophecy or a mistake is made in the name of Jehovah, is the light on or off? JW: I guess the light is off at the time a mistake is made. After all, we are imperfect humans! Christian Research Institute: 58

59 How To Use False Prophesies? Christian: I agree with you; imperfect humans do make mistakes in the name of Jehovah. Please read verse 19: "The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble." This verse applies to those whose light is out. JW: If this isn't the truth [referring to the Watchtower magazine], then where is it? Christian: I'm glad you asked! Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) Christian Research Institute: 59

60 Reminder: Our Lord Jesus was not interested in winning debates, but winning souls! We ought not present the embarrassing history of Watchtower false prophesies to appear "smart" or with smugness. Our motive ought to be loving concern for the lost. 60

61 Overview of Watchtower Prophesies: 1000 year reign of Christ (millennium) to begin in year reign of Christ (millennium) to begin in 1874 return of Christ (second presence) in 1874 God's people to "pass beyond the veil" before close of 1910 By 1914, Jesus has full control. Gentile governments overthrown. World-wide anarchy. Full establishment of Kingdom of God in the Earth. God's Kingdom replaces man's governments. In 1918 God will destroy the "churches wholesale" and "church members by millions" Fall of 1920 will bring "world-wide all embracing anarchy 1925 will bring the resurrection of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and other Patriarchs 1940 was to be "the most important year yet" because Armageddon was very near 1000 year reign of Christ (millennium) to begin in

62 Reproductions of Watchtower Prophesies: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society Prophecy History Mark Edward Sohmer The Watchtower Files Duane Magnani & Arthur Barrett How To Answer a Jehovah's Witness Robert A. Morey 62

63 Cults Week 4 July 10, 2005 Mark Edward Sohmer mark@sohmer.net Fellowship Bible Church Summer 2005 notes and other materials available at: 63

64 Review 64

65 Watchtower Claims to be Prophet "This 'prophet' was not one man, but was a body of men and women. It was the small group of footstep followers of Jesus Christ, known at that time as International Bible Students. Today they are known as Jehovah's Christian witnesses. They are still proclaiming a warning, and have been joined and assisted in their commissioned work by hundreds of thousands of persons who have listened to their message with belief. The Watchtower; April 1,

66 Watchtower Claims to be Prophet "Jehovah's Witnesses today make their declaration of the good news of the Kingdom under angelic direction and support. (Rev. 14:6, 7; Matt. 25:31, 32) And since no word or work of Jehovah can fail, for he is God Almighty, the nations will see the fulfillment of what these witnesses say as directed from heaven. The Watchtower; April 1,

67 Watchtower Claims to be Prophet "Yes, the time must come shortly that the nations will have to know that really a 'prophet' of Jehovah was among them, Actually now more than a million and a half persons are helping that collective or composite "prophet" in his preaching work and well over that number of others are studying the Bible with the 'prophet' group and its companions." The Watchtower; April 1,

68 Overview of Watchtower Prophesies: 1000 year reign of Christ (millennium) to begin in year reign of Christ (millennium) to begin in 1874 return of Christ (second presence) in 1874 God's people to "pass beyond the veil" before close of 1910 By 1914, Jesus has full control. Gentile governments overthrown. World-wide anarchy. Full establishment of Kingdom of God in the Earth. God's Kingdom replaces man's governments. In 1918 God will destroy the "churches wholesale" and "church members by millions" Fall of 1920 will bring "world-wide all embracing anarchy 1925 will bring the resurrection of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and other Patriarchs 1940 was to be "the most important year yet" because Armageddon was very near 1000 year reign of Christ (millennium) to begin in

69 The Bible Gives Us a Way to Test Alleged Prophets! Deuteronomy 18:21-22 And in case you should say in your heart: "How shall we know the word that Jehovah has not spoken?" when the prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah and the word does not occur or come true, that is the word that Jehovah did not speak. With presumptuousness the prophet spoke it. You must not get frightened at him. New World Translation 69

70 The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society has a history of many false prophecies. According to Deuteronomy 18:21-22, that makes them a false prophet. Matthew 7:15 Be on the watch for the false prophets that come to YOU in sheep's covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves. New World Translation 70

71 Why This Matters? Followers of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society are trusting in the organization (their prophet). The organization has proven untrustworthy. A Jehovah's Witness's foundation is the Watchtower organization. By God's grace, if a Jehovah's Witness sees the Watchtower organization as an untrustworthy foundation, perhaps he/she will flee to the firm foundation of the Lord Jesus Christ! 71

72 Reminder: Our Lord Jesus was not interested in winning debates, but winning souls! We ought not present the embarrassing history of Watchtower false prophesies to appear "smart" or with smugness. Our motive ought to be loving concern for the lost. 72

73 New Material 73

74 Overview of Watchtower Doctrines: Rejection of the "Trinity" Jesus is a created being Jesus is the Archangel Michael Jesus was not physically resurrected from the dead The Holy Spirit is an impersonal force New World Translation Watchtower organization is a Prophet Against blood transfusions, vaccinations, and organ donations Against serving in the armed forces Against celebrating holidays: birthdays, Christmas, Mother's/Father's Day, etc. more 74

75 Overview of Watchtower Doctrines: Rejection of the "Trinity" Jesus is a created being Jesus is the Archangel Michael Jesus was not physically resurrected from the dead The Holy Spirit is an impersonal force New World Translation Watchtower organization is a Prophet Against blood transfusions, vaccinations, and organ donations Against serving in the armed forces Against celebrating holidays: birthdays, Christmas, Mother's/Father's Day, etc. more 75

76 Biblical Defense of "The Trinity" 76

77 Most of the following arguments for the Trinity come from the essay: "Jesus Christ, God, and the Bible" which you can download for free at: please note the CAPITAL letters 77

78 "Trinity" Defined: The doctrine of the "Trinity" says that the Holy Spirit is Jehovah as the Lord Jesus Christ is Jehovah and as the Father is Jehovah. Jesus asked: "But whom say ye that I am?" (Matthew 16:15). 78

79 Why This Matters: It does us no good to have an inaccurate knowledge of God. We must flee to God's Word and there find the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ. Do we exalt him, or do we consider him a creature? 79

80 Interpreting Scripture with Scripture: Biblical Interpretation Error: Jesus is the Son of God. This can be found in Matthew 4:3, 4:6, 8:29, 14:33, just to name a few of the many places. He is the "Son of God" yet the Bible NEVER calls him "God the Son." It is wrong to believe that Jesus is God just as it would be wrong to say that JFK Jr. is really JFK. In fact, don't you know that Jesus also called himself the "son of man?" Clearly Jesus is not claiming to be God, but merely God's son. How can a son be his own father? The doctrine of the Trinity is false. 80

81 Interpreting Scripture with Scripture: What was the error? 81

82 Interpreting Scripture with Scripture: In this example, the error is in the use of the phrase "son of." The error is in the false assumption that the Bible only uses the phrase "son of" the same way we use it today of a human father-son relationship. Given the principle that the Bible very often defines itself, we must ask: does the Bible use the phrase "son of" in any other way? 82

83 Interpreting Scripture with Scripture: So how does the Bible use the term "son of?" The answer is found by reading the VERY FIRST VERSE of the New Testament. Matthew 1:1 teaches us how God used the term "son of." "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." (Matthew 1:1, emphasis mine). This first verse in Matthew's gospel silences the idea that "son of" in the Bible is only used the same way that JFK Jr. is the "son of" JFK. 83

84 Interpreting Scripture with Scripture: In Matthew 1:1 Jesus is both the "son of David" AND "the son of Abraham." Putting aside that Jesus was NOT the physical son of either of these men, it is still impossible for someone to be a son of TWO people. At least it is impossible if one narrowly defines the term "son of" in the same way one would say that JFK Jr. is the "son of" JFK. Matthew 1:1 teaches that the Bible does not use the term "son of" that way. Matthew chapter 1 records Jesus' genealogy. Verse 17 shows that Jesus was far removed from both David and Abraham. Yet the Bible calls Jesus both "the son of Abraham" and "son of David." 84

85 Interpreting Scripture with Scripture: This is just one example of how we can fall into error when we fail to allow the Bible to define itself. Based on Matthew chapter 1, we learn early on in the New Testament that the term "son of" is used to mean "in the order of." Matthew wanted his audience to know that Jesus was the Messiah because he was "in the order of David" and "in the order of Abraham." That is what the context teaches. That is why Jesus can be called both the "son of David" and the "son of Abraham" when neither of these men were his physical father. Jesus is also the "son of God" and the "son of man." 85

86 Interpreting Scripture with Scripture: This example shows how easy it is to be lead astray and fall into error when we depart from the definitions the Bible gives for itself. We must seek God's wisdom, in the words of the Apostle Paul, "not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual" (1 Corinthians 2:13). We can fall into error when we isolate verses. The Bible teaches that we are to compare spiritual with spiritual. We correctly read the Bible by allowing the Bible to interpret itself (interpreting Scripture with Scripture). 86

87 Who Is Jesus? Jesus asked: "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" (Matthew 16:13). To answer this, we must not appeal to councils, creeds, or ideas of men. Nothing is authoritative except the words of God as preserved in the Old and New Testaments. To meet on common ground, I will use only the King James Bible and the New World Translation (both of which are used, printed, and distributed by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.) The doctrine of the Trinity is faithfully taught in both versions. 87

88 Who Is Jesus? Jesus asked: "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" (Matthew 16:13). Jesus is Jehovah as the Father is Jehovah as the Holy Spirit is Jehovah. 88

89 Absolute Monotheism As Bible-believing Christians, we are monotheists; that is, we believe in only one God. "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD" (Deuteronomy 6:4) "Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God... Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any" (Isaiah 44:6,8) Jesus prayed to "the only true God" (John 17:3) The scriptures are clear - there is only One God! 89

90 Absolute Monotheism Bible-believing Christians are monotheists. There is only One true God. There may be false gods and idols in the world, as the apostle writes: "(as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things" (1 Corinthians 8:5-6), but those false gods are merely "the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell" (Deuteronomy 4:28). Foundational truth: there is only One True God. 90

91 John 1:1 John 1:1 as it reads in the New World Translation (NWT) published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society: "In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god." 91

92 John 1:1 The Watchtower publication "Should You Believe in the Trinity" argues: At John 1:1 there are two occurrences of the Greek noun the-os' (god). The first occurrence refers to Almighty God, with whom the Word was ("and the Word [lo'gos] was with God [a form of the-os']"). The first the-os' is preceded by the word ton (the), a form of the Greek definite article that points to a distinct identity, in this case Almighty God ("and the Word was with [the] God"). On the other hand, there is no article before the second the-os' at John 1:1. So a literal translation would read, "and god was the Word." Should You Believe in the Trinity?; p

93 John 1:1 Roy B. Zuck writes in his own leaflet, "Letter to a Jehovah's Witness": [The Watchtower Society is] correct in saying that in John 1:1 the Greek word for God is not preceded by a definite article. However good Greek scholarship agrees that this does not mean that word should be translated "god" with a small "g." The definite article is omitted because of a somewhat technical rule of Greek grammar. Zuck, Roy B., Letter to a Jehovah's Witness, "Moody Monthly" March 1973, Moody Press. 93

94 John 1:1 A definite predicate nominative which precedes a verb does not have the definite article. The order of the Greek words in the last clause of John 1:1 is "God was the Word" (theos en ho logos). The subject of the sentence is "the Word," the verb is "was" and the predicate nominative is "God." Usually the predicate nominative follows the verb, but in this case it precedes it; and since it precedes the verb no article is necessary... Zuck, Roy B., Letter to a Jehovah's Witness, "Moody Monthly" March 1973, Moody Press. 94

95 John 1:1 May I point out too, that even [the] New World Translation does not always follow its "no article - small 'g'" rule. For example, in John 1:6, 12, 13, the word "God" does not have the article in the Greek, but it does have a capital "G" in the New World Translation. It is correct to use the capital in those verses but it is inconsistent with the New World Translation of John 1:1. Zuck, Roy B., Letter to a Jehovah's Witness, "Moody Monthly" March 1973, Moody Press. 95

96 John 1:1 [The Jehovah's Witness] might also be interested in noting that in John 13:3 the word "God" occurs twice, each time with a capital "G." But in the Greek the first occurrence of the word does not have the definite article and the second occurrence does. Since both obviously refer to the same person - God the Father - it would again be wrong to assume that the alleged "no article - small 'g'" rule has any validity in Greek grammar. Zuck, Roy B., Letter to a Jehovah's Witness, "Moody Monthly" March 1973, Moody Press. 96

97 John 1:1 Brain freeze??? Many of us will find the above exchange a bit dizzying. Take heart - God does not expect his children to be Greek scholars. We ought to thank God for the Greek scholars within the body of Christ, but we should also thank God that He makes his Word known to the rest of us as well. 97

98 John 1:1 The Watchmen Fellowship writes: The next time the Jehovah's Witnesses come to your you may ask them, "Does your organization teach more than one true God?" Almost without fail the sharp Witness will reply, "We only believe in one true God, Jehovah." Explain that you agree with this statement saying, "I also believe in only one true God and all other gods are false gods." Witnessing Tip of the Month: Jehovah's Witnesses - How Many True Gods Are There?; The Watchman Fellowship; Vol. 7, No. 6,

99 John 1:1 Then ask, "How do you understand John 1:1 that teaches, the Word [Jesus] was God?" Usually they will quote their own New World Translation saying that the "original Greek" states the Word was "a god." Rather than debating the proper Greek translation you can simply respond, "Well if Jesus is 'a god,' is He a true God or a false god?" Witnessing Tip of the Month: Jehovah's Witnesses - How Many True Gods Are There?; The Watchman Fellowship; Vol. 7, No. 6,

100 John 1:1 From this discussion the Jehovah's Witness can be shown that Watchtower theology forces them to have two true Gods in John 1:1, or teach that Jesus is a false God. The Witness can not say that Jesus is a false God, and because the Watchtower's well know stance against Polytheism [the belief in more that one God], they cannot say that Jesus is also a true God. Witnessing Tip of the Month: Jehovah's Witnesses - How Many True Gods Are There?; The Watchman Fellowship; Vol. 7, No. 6,

101 John 1:1 The proselyte may try to answer this problem by showing you others in the Bible who were called God or by saying that Jesus is a lesser God. Their book, Reasoning From the Scriptures teaches that Jehovah is the "Almighty God" while Jesus is simply a "mighty god." (p ). Simply point out that while some are called gods (i.e. Satan, wicked Judges etc.) they were certainly false gods not true Gods. Witnessing Tip of the Month: Jehovah's Witnesses - How Many True Gods Are There?; The Watchman Fellowship; Vol. 7, No. 6,

102 John 1:1 Also, if Jesus is a "lesser god" is He a lesser True God or a lesser false god? This dialogue can be used by itself to quickly plant a seed at the front door or as an spring board for further discussion on the Deity of Christ, other problems with the New World Translation, or additional reasons you do not follow the Watchtower Society. Witnessing Tip of the Month: Jehovah's Witnesses - How Many True Gods Are There?; The Watchman Fellowship; Vol. 7, No. 6,

103 John 1:1 If Jesus were "a god" and God the Father were the "God," then how many gods does that make? "Before me there was no God formed, and after me there continued to be none" (Isaiah 43:10, NWT) "This is what Jehovah has said... 'I am the first and I am the last, and besides me there is no God... Does there exist a God besides me? No, there is no Rock. I have recognized none'" (Isaiah 44:6,8, NWT) "I am Jehovah, and there is no one else. With the exception of me there is no God" (Isaiah 45:5, NWT) 103

104 John 1:1 To be fair, the Watchtower does not intentionally mean to imply that Jesus and the Father are both God in the "almighty" sense. The Watchtower organization argues that Jesus is Divine and god-like, and that is why he is "a god." Jehovah is quite clear when he states: "I am the Divine One and there is no other God, nor anyone like me" (Isaiah 46:9, NWT, emphasis mine). Jesus can not be "god-like" or Divine unless he were Jehovah himself. Since there is only One True God (John 17:3) then Jesus must be, according to the NWT, a false God. Jehovah is "the only true God," and if Jesus is not Jehovah, then he must be the other type of god (false god). The New World Translation places Jesus into the same category as Baal. 104

105 Who Raised Jesus From the Dead? The overwhelming testimony of scripture is that the Father raised Jesus from the dead. Just a few of the places this can be found are: "...and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses" (Acts 3:15) "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole" (Acts 4:10) "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree" (Acts 5:30) 105

106 Who Raised Jesus From the Dead? "Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly" (Acts 10:40) "But God raised him from the dead" (Acts 13:30) "we have testified of God that he raised up Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:15) "...and God the Father, who raised him from the dead" (Galatians 1:1) 106

107 Who Raised Jesus From the Dead? It was God who raised Jesus, and with that in mind, let's consider John 2:18-20: "Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?" (John 2:18-20) Note that Jesus promises to raise this temple himself. It is Jesus who will do the raising. 107

108 Who Raised Jesus From the Dead? The next few verses explains the symbolism of "temple." "But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said" (John 2:21-22) We must not ignore clear scriptures that teach that the Father raised Jesus and that Jesus also raised Jesus. 108

109 Problem for the Jehovah's Witnesses The Jehovah's Witness has a problem here if he or she continues to follow the Watchtower organization. The Watchtower does a good job pointing out the humanity of Christ, but they deceitfully fail to point out the sections of scripture that teach the deity of Christ. That is the "Trinity." It is saying that Christ, as God, had become man for a time. Although he is eternally God (has always existed and has always been God), at one point in time he humbled Himself and came as a man. We call this the incarnation. 109

110 Witnesses For Whom? The Watchtower Society calls its followers "Jehovah's Witnesses." That's a good name, and a Biblical one at that. "'You are my witnesses,' is the utterance of Jehovah, 'even my servant whom I have chosen'... 'So you are my witnesses' is the utterance of Jehovah" (Isaiah 43:10,12, NWT). All Bible students should see that God calls his followers witnesses of him, or witnesses of Jehovah. "'You are my witnesses,' is the utterance of Jehovah." 110

111 Witnesses For Whom? When we read through the whole Bible, even in the New World Translation, we see that though the Old Testament promises that God's people will be witnesses for Jehovah, in the New Testament God's people were actually witnesses for Jesus! Jesus speaking: "but you will receive power when the holy spirit arrives upon you, and you will be witnesses of me both in Jude'a and Sa-mar'i-a and to the most distant part of the earth" (Acts 1:8, NWT). Here, Jesus says we'll be witnesses for Jesus! If Jesus is not Jehovah, then the Bible contradicts itself. 111

112 Witnesses For Whom? "This Jesus God resurrected, of which fact we are all witnesses" (Acts 2:32, NWT). Here, we are clearly witnesses of Jesus's resurrection, not of Jehovah. If Jesus is not Jehovah, then the Bible contradicts itself. "Whereas you killed the Chief Agent of life. But God raised him from the dead, of which fact we are all witnesses" (Acts 3:15, NWT). Again, the Apostles understood well that they were witnesses of the resurrection. Given Isaiah 43:10, if Jesus is not Jehovah, then the Bible contradicts itself. 112

113 Witnesses For Whom? "Also, with great power the apostles continued giving forth the witness concerning the resurrection of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 4:33, NWT). It is even clearer here. The Apostles understood well that they were witnesses of the physical resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Given Isaiah 43:10, if Jesus were not Jehovah, then the Bible would contradict itself. Remember Acts 1:8: Jesus says, "you will be witnesses of me." 113

114 Witnesses For Whom? "And for many days he became visible to those who had gone up with him from Gal'i-lee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people" (Acts 13:31, NWT). Whose witness are they to the people? Clearly they are witnesses for Jesus. In fact, nowhere in the New Testament are the disciples ever witnesses for Jehovah. Every single time, they are always witnesses for Jesus and of his bodily resurrection. Given Isaiah 43:10, if Jesus is not Jehovah, then the Bible contradicts itself. 114

115 Jehovah Alone Knows the Hearts of Men The Old Testament contains many prayers to Jehovah. 1 Kings 8:39 records one: "then may you yourself hear from the heavens, your established place of dwelling, and you must forgive and act and give to each one according to all his ways, because you know his heart (for you yourself alone well know the heart of all the sons of mankind)" (1 Kings 8:39, NWT). Notice that only Jehovah knows the hearts of men. 115

116 Jehovah Alone Knows the Hearts of Men As we compare scripture with scripture, and we honestly read the entire Bible, we find the following: "But Jesus, discerning their reasonings, said in answer to them: 'What are you reasoning out in your hearts?'" (Luke 5:22, NWT). The King James Bible reads: "But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?" (emphasis mine). Regardless of the translation, it is clear that Jesus knows the hearts and minds of men. Yet the Bible teaches that Jehovah alone knows the hearts of men. If Jesus is not Jehovah, then the Bible contradicts itself. 116

117 Jehovah Alone Knows the Hearts of Men "And Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said: "Why are you thinking wicked things in your hearts?" (Matthew 9:4, NWT). Jesus knows the hearts and minds of men. Yet the Bible teaches that Jehovah alone knows the hearts of men. If Jesus is not Jehovah, then the Bible contradicts itself. In his letter to Thyatira, the Lord Jesus says about himself, "I am he who searches the inmost thoughts and hearts" (Revelation 2:23, NWT). Remember what 1 Kings 8:39 says about Jehovah: "(for you yourself alone well know the heart of all the sons of mankind)." 117

118 Jehovah Alone Knows the Hearts of Men Over and over again we have seen that the Lord Jesus knows the hearts and minds of men. Yet the Bible teaches that Jehovah alone knows the hearts of men. If Jesus is not Jehovah, then the Bible contradicts itself. 118

119 Only God Is To Be Worshipped In Acts chapter 14 Paul and Barnabus are mistaken as gods by the pagan Greeks. They even started to offer sacrifices to them. Paul reacted harshly, "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are humans having the same infirmities as you do" (Acts 14:15, NWT). "At that I fell down before his feet to worship him. But he tells me: 'Be careful! Do not do that! All I am is a fellow slave of you and of your brothers who have the work of witnessing to Jesus. Worship God'" (Revelation 19:10, NWT). Note: God is to be worshipped, and not created beings. 119

120 Only God Is To Be Worshipped Deuteronomy 6:13 teaches: "Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name" and Exodus 34:14 says: "For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." The Bible is clear: only Jehovah is to be worshipped. The Lord Jesus himself also taught this. When the devil tempted the Lord Jesus in the wilderness, the devil asked for worship. Jesus harshly rebuked him: "It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service" (Matthew 4:10, NWT). 120

121 Only God Is To Be Worshipped When we consult the complete council of God on this issue, we find that the Lord Jesus himself is worshipped. The New World translation attempts to downplay this, but their own Diaglott (interlinear Greek-English version) shows that Christ is worshipped. Matthew 14:33 should read: "Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him" (KJV). In the New World Translation, it reads: "Then those in the boat did obeisance to him." Luke 24:52 should read: "And they worshipped him" (KJV). In the New World Translation, it reads: "And they did obeisance to him." 121

122 Only God Is To Be Worshipped Ironically, the Watchtower's own Diaglott proves the NWT is wrong. The "Diaglott" contains an "Interlineary word for word English translation" of the New Testament, published by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. (Diaglott; 1942, p. 1) The Diaglott shows the use of the word: proskunhseij: (thou shalt worship) in Matthew 4:10. Matthew 14:33 uses the word: prosekunhsan. (proskunhseij and prosekunhsan are different grammatical forms of the same word: to worship.) The Watchtower erroneously translated the word in their Diaglott, "prostrated." In the New World Translation they translated the word, "did obeisance." The Greek shows that the word should be "worship." The Lord Jesus Christ is worshipped many times in the New Testament. 122

123 Only God Is To Be Worshipped Matthew 4:10, Watchtower Diaglott, 1942 Edition Matthew 4:33, Watchtower Diaglott, 1942 Edition 123

124 Only God Is To Be Worshipped A similar erroneous rendering is given for Luke 24:52: proskunhsantej, (which they translate 'having prostrated'.) The same Greek word is translated inconsistently in the NWT and in the Diaglott. This is so because of the bias of the Watchtower organization's anonymous translators. They wrongfully rendered the Greek into English based on their theological bias, and not based on what the Greek actually said. The Greek shows that Jesus is worshipped. The complete council of God's Word is clear; worship is to go to Jehovah alone. The complete council of God's Word is also clear that Jesus is worshipped. If Jesus is not Jehovah, then the Bible contradicts itself. 124

125 From 1961 to 1984 Originally the New World Translation used the word "worship" in Hebrews 1:6: "But when he again brings his first-born into the inhabited earth, he says: 'And let all God's angels worship him.'" (NWT, 1961 edition) When I consulted a 1984 edition, I found "And let all God's angels do obeisance to him." In the "evolution" of the New World Translation, the translators have changed words, not because of Greek scholarship, but due to their established theological bias. 125

126 From 1961 to 1984 Hebrews 1:6; NWT, 1961 Edition Hebrews 1:6; NWT, 1984 Edition 126

127 Is Jesus the Archangel Michael? The Watchtower Society teaches that Jesus is a created being, specifically the archangel Michael. "For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him." (Hebrews 1:5-6). The angels are to worship Jesus. Even the NWT Diaglott has that rendering. 127

128 Only God Is To Be Worshipped Hebrews 1:6, Watchtower Diaglott, 1942 Edition 128

129 Only God Is To Be Worshipped 129

130 Is Jesus the Archangel Michael? When the Archangel Michael battled the devil, he did not rely on his own authority but said "The Lord rebuke thee" (Jude 9). However, when the Lord Jesus Christ battled the devil, he spoke on his own authority and said "Get thee behind me, Satan" (Luke 4:8). The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society teaches that Jesus and the Archangel Michael are the same being, but the clear teaching of scripture shows otherwise. 130

131 Isaiah Sees Jehovah's Glory Please note Isaiah chapter 6 in the New World Translation: "And this one called to that one and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is Jehovah of armies. The fullness of all the earth is his glory" (Isaiah 6:3, NWT.) Isaiah continues on a few verses later pleading to Jehovah to "Make the heart of this people unreceptive, and make their very ears unresponsive, and paste their very eyes together, that they may not see with their eyes and with their ears they may not hear, and that their own heart may not understand and that they may not actually turn back and get healing for themselves" (Isaiah 6:10, NWT.) 131

132 Isaiah Sees Jehovah's Glory Let's compare scripture with scripture, particularly Old Testament promises with New Testament fulfillments. Isaiah spoke of the glory of Jehovah. Yet when John interpreted this for us, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, he put this spin on it: "Jesus spoke these things and went off and hid from them. But although he had performed so many signs before them, they were not putting faith in him... The reason why they were not able to believe is that again Isaiah said: 'He has blinded their eyes and he has made their hearts hard, that they should not see with their eyes and get the thoughts with their hearts and turn around and I should heal them.' Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory, and he spoke about him" (John 12:36-37,39-41, NWT.) 132

133 Isaiah Sees Jehovah's Glory John said in verse 41 that Isaiah saw Jesus' glory and spoke of Jesus. He even quoted Isaiah 6:10 (which in its context is about Jehovah.) But John attributed it to Jesus! Isaiah spoke of beholding Jehovah's glory, but when the Bible interpreted that passage for us in the gospel of John, the Bible said that Isaiah saw and spoke of Jesus' glory. According to the Bible, if Jesus is not Jehovah, then the apostle John is a false prophet and the book of John heretical. 133

134 Cults Week 5 July 17, 2005 Mark Edward Sohmer mark@sohmer.net Fellowship Bible Church Summer 2005 notes and other materials available at: 134

135 Review 135

136 "Trinity" Defined: The doctrine of the "Trinity" says that the Holy Spirit is Jehovah as the Lord Jesus Christ is Jehovah and as the Father is Jehovah, yet there is only 1 Jehovah. Jesus asked: "But whom say ye that I am?" (Matthew 16:15). 136

137 Why This Matters: It does us no good to have an inaccurate knowledge of God. We must flee to God's Word and there find the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ. Do we exalt him, or do we consider him a creature? 137

138 Biblical Defense of the Trinity interpret scripture with scripture: 1 Cor 2:13 example: showed from Matthew 1:1 that "son of" is used in the Bible a number of ways Monotheism: Deut 6:4; Is 44:6,8; John 17:3 John 1:1 in the NWT defines Jesus as a "lesser God." This is unbiblical: Is 43:10; 44:6,8; 45:5; 46:9 God raised Jesus from the dead: Acts 3:15; 4:10; 5:30; 10:40; 13:30; 1 Cor 15:15; Gal 1:1 Jesus raised HIMSELF from the dead: John 2:

139 Biblical Defense of the Trinity According to Isaiah, God's people are to be "Jehovah's Witnesses" (Is 43:10,12). In the New Testament 100% of the time God's people were "Jesus' Witnesses" (Acts 1:8; 2:32; 3:15; 4:33; 13:31) 1 Kings 8:39 says that Jehovah alone knows the hearts and minds of men. Jesus knows the hearts and minds of men: Matt 9:4; Luke 5:22; Rev 2:23 Only God is to be worshipped: Ex 34:14; Matt 4:10; Acts 14:15; Rev 19:10. Jesus is worshipped: Matt 14:33; Luke 24:52; Heb 1:6. Isaiah saw Jehovah's glory: Isa 6:3,10. John says Isaiah saw Jesus' glory: John 12:36-37,

140 Is Jesus the Archangel Michael? When the Archangel Michael battled the devil, he did not rely on his own authority but said "The Lord rebuke thee" (Jude 9). However, when the Lord Jesus Christ battled the devil, he spoke on his own authority and said "Get thee behind me, Satan" (Luke 4:8). The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society teaches that Jesus and the Archangel Michael are the same being, but the clear teaching of scripture shows otherwise. 140

141 From 1961 to 1984 Hebrews 1:6; NWT, 1961 Edition Hebrews 1:6; NWT, 1984 Edition 141

142 New Material 142

143 Biblical Defense of "The Trinity" Part 2 143

144 Most of the following arguments for the Trinity come from the essay: "Jesus Christ, God, and the Bible" which you can download for free at: please note the CAPITAL letters 144

145 Picking and Choosing Verses The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society is quick to point out verses that show Jesus' humanity, and with that the Bible-believing Christian has no problem. The teaching of the "Trinity" does not say that Jesus was never man. It says that although Jesus is and always has been Jehovah, at one point in time he entered time and space and came in the form of a man. This is called the incarnation. It is true that Jesus said "for my Father is greater than I" (John 14:28.) It is also true that Jesus was hungry (Luke 4:2), was tired (John 4:6) and needed to learn (Luke 2:52.) Though these may appear to show that Jesus was merely a created being, it actually shows that while on earth Jesus subjected himself to the trials of humanity (Philippians 2:5-8.) 145

146 Picking and Choosing Verses It is not honest to only present the verses that show Jesus' incarnation humanity while ignoring the many scriptures that teach his deity. 146

147 Jesus is Omniscient John chapter 11 records the story of Lazarus. "When [Jesus] had heard therefore that [Lazarus] was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was" (John 11:6). While Jesus stalled, Lazarus died and Jesus said to his disciples concerning this, "I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe" (vs. 15). And without traveling to Lazarus' side, "Jesus said to them outspokenly: 'Laz'a-rus has died'" (vs. 14, NWT). 147

148 Jesus is Omniscient How did Jesus know that Lazarus was dead? Have you considered that many times throughout the New Testament Jesus knew things that only an omniscient being could know? Jesus knew the hearts and minds of men, and he knew that a man had died miles away; he also knew all about the woman at the well in John chapter 4. This is omniscience, and it is a characteristic held by Jehovah alone. 148

149 Jesus is Creator This is what Jehovah has said, your Repurchaser and the Former of you from the belly: 'I, Jehovah, am doing everything, stretching out the heavens by myself, laying out the earth. Who was with me?' Isaiah 44:24; NWT [Speaking of Jesus ] All things came into existence through him, and apart from him not even one thing came into existence John 1:3; NWT 149

150 Jesus is Creator This is what Jehovah has said, your Repurchaser and the Former of you from the belly: 'I, Jehovah, am doing everything, stretching out the heavens by myself, laying out the earth. Who was with me?' Isaiah 44:24; NWT [Speaking of Jesus ] by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him Colossians 1:16 150

151 Jesus is Creator [Speaking of Jesus ] by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him Colossians 1:16 [Speaking of Jesus ] because by means of him all [other] things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All [other] things have been created through him and for him Colossians 1:16; NWT 151

152 Jesus is Creator [Speaking of Jesus ] because by means of him all [other] things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All [other] things have been created through him and for him Colossians 1:16; NWT It must be noted that the word [other] is in brackets because even the translators of the New World Translation have admitted that the word for 'other' is not found in any copy of any Greek manuscript. It was added by the Watchtower and it changes the meaning. 152

153 Jesus is Creator Colossians 1:16-17; Diaglott No [other] in the Greek! Colossians 1:16-17; NWT [other] inserted 4 times despite absence in the Greek manuscripts! 153

154 Jesus is Creator This is what Jehovah has said, your Repurchaser and the Former of you from the belly: 'I, Jehovah, am doing everything, stretching out the heavens by myself, laying out the earth. Who was with me?' Isaiah 44:24; NWT If the NWT were correct, then Colossians 1:16 would contradict Isaiah 44:24. The NWT rendering must be rejected based both on the Greek text and based on the internal evidence of comparing scripture with scripture. Isaiah 44:24 does not allow the word '[other]' to be added to Colossians chapter one. Since "all" things were created by Jesus, then Jesus himself could not have been created. 154

155 Jesus the First Created Being of Jehovah? He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation Colossians 1:15; NWT The firstborn? Was Jesus the first created being made by Jehovah? 155

156 Jesus the First Created Being of Jehovah? Remember the term "son of" was wrongly assumed to mean "physical offspring" and that false definition tainted our understanding of the phrase "Son of God?" The same error can be made here, and this error will always be made when we presume a definition of a word or phrase other than the definition the Bible gives for it. Here the phrase "first-born" is assumed to mean "first created." But we must ask: is that how the Bible uses the phrase? 156

157 Jesus the First Created Being of Jehovah? So Joseph called the name of the first-born Ma-nas'seh, because, to quote him, 'God has made me to forget all of my trouble and all the house of my father.' And the name of the second he called E'phra-im, because, to quote him, 'God has made me fruitful in the land of my wretchedness' Genesis 41:51-52; NWT Actual Birth Order 1)Manasseh 2)Ephraim 157

158 Jesus the First Created Being of Jehovah? With weeping they will come, and with [their] entreaties for favor I shall bring them. I shall make them to torrent valleys of water, in a right way in which they will not be caused to stumble. For I have become to Israel a Father; and as for E'phra-im, he is my first-born' Jeremiah 31:9; NWT Actual Birth Order 1)Manasseh 2)Ephraim 158

159 Jesus the First Created Being of Jehovah? Ephraim was first-born, though literally, Manasseh was the first to come out of their mother. First-born First Created "First-born" in Hebrew chronology refers to preeminence. This is why the same passage in Colossians that calls Jesus "first-born" also says about him: "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence" (Colossians 1:18). Jesus is the "first-born" of creation in that he is head over creation. 159

160 Jesus the First Created Being of Jehovah? Roy Zuck summs it up: However, if this verse [Colossians 1:15] were teaching that Jesus Christ is the first created being made by Jehovah, the word "first-created" would have been used of Christ, not the word "firstborn." There are two different words in the Greek, with two different meanings. "First-created" is protoktistos, and "firstborn" is prototokos. Colossians 1:15 does not use the word protoktistos, "firstcreated." Instead it uses prototokos. This latter word means an heir, a begotten one, the first in rank. The teaching of Colossians 1:15, then, is that Christ is first in rank above all creation; he is the heir of all things. He is prior to all creation and superior over it as Lord. 160

161 Jesus is Savior I-I am Jehovah, and beside me there is no savior. Isaiah 43:11; NWT for we have heard for ourselves and we know that this man [Jesus] is for a certainty the savior of the world. John 4:42; NWT the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 1 John 4:14; NWT 161

162 Jesus is Savior Who is the Savior of the world? 1) The Old Testament promises Jehovah Alone. 2) The New Testament fulfillment is Jesus. 162

163 Jesus is Savior whereas in his own due times he made his word manifest in the preaching with which I was entrusted, under command of our Savior, God; to Titus, a genuine child according to a faith shared in common: May there be undeserved kindness and peace from God [the] Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. Titus 1:3-4; NWT I-I am Jehovah, and beside me there is no savior. Isaiah 43:11; NWT 163

164 The God and Savior "The owner and manager" = same person "The owner and the manager" = 2 people Both English and Greek share this grammatical usage. Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Peter 1:1 164

165 The God and Savior According to Greek grammar, Jesus is BOTH God and Savior in 2 Peter 1:1. Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a faith, held in equal privilege with ours, by the righteousness of our God and [the] Savior Jesus Christ 2 Peter 1:1; NWT 165

166 The God and Savior 2 Peter 1:1; NWT [the] inserted despite absence in the Greek manuscripts! 2 Peter 1:1; Diaglott No [the] in the Greek! 166

167 The God and Savior The Watchtower understood, as should we, that if the 'the' were not present, then Peter would be calling Jesus God. The Watchtower had added the 'the' despite the fact that no Greek text supported the 'the.' They have added to God's words and have changed the teaching of scripture. Even the Watchtower admits the lack of the definite article 'the' in the Greek. That is why they have added [the] and placed it in brackets. 2 Peter 1:1; NWT 167

168 The God and Savior An honest translation of Peter's epistle shows that in fact Peter does call Jesus God in 2 Peter 1:1. Note that just a few verses later (2 Peter 1:11) we see the exact same Greek construction, yet the Watchtower shows their inconsistency in translating by not adding a 'the' in brackets. 2 Peter 1:11 in the NWT reads: "In fact, thus there will be richly supplied to you the entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (NWT). Please note, that if the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society were interested in consistent translating, then they should have also added a [the] here, but since they have no problem with Jesus being "Lord and Savior," they felt no need to add a 'the' as they did in 2 Peter 1:1. 168

169 The God and Savior 2 Peter 1:1 & 2 Peter 1:11 ton Theon amon kai sotaros (v. 1) exact same Greek construction: ton Kurion amon kai sotaros (v. 11) 169

170 The God and Savior 2 Peter 1:1 & 2 Peter 1:11 ton Theon amon kai sotaros (v. 1) exact same Greek construction: ton Kurion amon kai sotaros (v. 11) Yet, [the] added to verse 1, despite any reason for it in the Greek! The Watchtower shows their inconsistency by not adding [the] in verse

171 God Will Appear Titus 2:13 reads: "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." Given the overwhelming testimony of scripture that the promised "appearing" is Jesus' appearing, then we must conclude, as the apostle Paul told Titus, that when Jesus appears, it will be God who appears. The word "appearing" is always a reference to Jesus in the New Testament. Jesus Christ is our "great God and our Saviour." 171

172 God Will Appear Not surprisingly, the Watchtower has placed a [the] in Titus 2:13 "while we wait for the happy hope and glorious manifestation of the great God and of [the] Savior of us, Christ Jesus" 172

173 God Will Appear Titus 2:13; Diaglott; no [the] in the Greek! Titus 2:13; NWT, 1961 no [the] Titus 2:13; NWT, 1984 [the] has been inserted 173

174 Who Did They Pierce? Zechariah prophesies the words of Jehovah: "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn" (Zechariah 12:10, emphasis mine). 174

175 Who Did They Pierce? God's Word promises that when he returns, we shall look upon Jehovah, the One we have pierced. When did anyone ever pierce Jehovah? It was Jesus who was pierced! By comparing Old Testament promises with New Testament fulfillments, we must come to the conclusion that Jesus Christ is Jehovah just as God the Father is Jehovah. There is no other honest conclusion. 175

176 Who Did They Pierce? The New World Translation tries to hide this by translating Zechariah 12:10: "look to the One whom they pierced," but we have already seen how the NWT ignores clear Hebrew and Greek evidence choosing rather to translate according to a bias and not to the underlying text. So we can safely throw out the untrustworthy Watchtower rendering. 176

177 Prepare Ye the Way Note Isaiah's Messianic prophecy: "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God" (Isaiah 40:3, emphasis mine). This verse talks about Jehovah; this verse is not talking about a created being. The New Testament records: "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight" (Matthew 3:1-3, emphasis mine). 177

178 Prepare Ye the Way The New World Translation tries to muddy it up: Listen! Someone is calling out in the wilderness: "Clear up the way of Jehovah, YOU people! MAKE the highway for our God through the desert plain straight." (Isaiah 40:3; NWT) In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Ju de a, saying: "REPENT, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn near." This, in fact, is the one spoken of through Isaiah the prophet in these words: "Listen! Someone is crying out in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way of Jehovah, YOU people! Make his roads straight.'" (Matthew 3:1-3; NWT) 178

179 Prepare Ye the Way The Watchtower Diaglott is correct when it shows that the Greek word for "Lord" in Matthew 3:3 is Kuriou (the same Greek word is used elsewhere in the New Testament to refer to the Lord Jesus). The NWT incorrectly translates Kuriou as "Jehovah." Although this is a clear reference to the Jehovah in Isaiah's prophecy, in Matthew it is a reference to the Lord Jesus Christ. Over and over again the Greek word Kuriou is used for Jesus. Consistent translation demands that Matthew 3:3 be understood to be pointing to Christ. 179

180 Prepare Ye the Way Matthew 3:3; Diaglott; Kuriou: Lord Matthew 3:3; NWT Kuriou incorrectly translated "Jehovah" due to Theological bias, and not because of Greek manuscript 180

181 Prepare Ye the Way Once again, unless Jesus is the Jehovah of the Old Testament, then the Bible contradicts itself. In Isaiah the message is to prepare the way for Jehovah and in Matthew the same message is to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus Christ. Unless the Lord Jesus Christ is Jehovah, then Bible contradicts itself. 181

182 Judaism and the Trinity An intriguing argument is that Judaism, the foundation of Biblical Christianity, teaches a strict oneness of God's nature. The verse typically cited to show this is Deuteronomy 6:4: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD." Does Judaism restricts God to a strict oneness nature? Modern-day Judaism rejects the Trinity, however, modernday Judaism is based on the Talmud, not on the Bible. Modern-day Judaism also denies that Jesus was from God and rejects all of the New Testament. We are interested in Biblical Judaism, so as in all things, we go back to the Bible. 182

183 Judaism and the Trinity Biblical Scholar Arnold Fruchtenbaum comments regarding Deuteronomy 6:4: The main argument lies in the word 'one,' which is the Hebrew word, echad. A glance through the Hebrew text where the word is used elsewhere can quickly show that the word echad does not mean an absolute 'one' but a compound 'one.' For instance, in Genesis 1:5 the combination of evening and morning comprise one (echad) day. In Genesis 2:24 a man and a woman come together in marriage and the two "shall become one (echad) flesh." In Ezra 2:64 we are told that the whole assembly was as one (echad), though, of course, it was composed of numerous people. 183 Fruchtenbaum, Arnold, "Jewishness and the Trinity," Issues Vol. 1:8, Purple Pomegranate, San Fran, CA, pp. 7-8

184 Judaism and the Trinity Ezekiel 37:17 provides a rather striking example where two sticks are combined to become one (echad). Thus, use of the word echad in Scripture shows it to be a compound and not an absolute unity. There is a Hebrew word that does mean an absolute unity and that is yachid, which is found in many Scripture passages, (Genesis 22:2,12; Judges 11:34; Psalm 22:21; 25:16; Proverbs 4:3; Jeremiah 6:26; Amos 8:10; Zechariah 12:10), the emphasis being on the meaning of "only." If Moses intended to teach God's absolute oneness as over a compound unity, this would have been a far more appropriate word. Fruchtenbaum, Arnold, "Jewishness and the Trinity," Issues Vol. 1:8, Purple Pomegranate, San Francisco, CA, pp

185 Judaism and the Trinity Biblical Judaism DOES promise that the Messiah will be God. Isaiah 9:6 prophesies concerning Jesus: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6, emphasis mine). "For there has been a child born to us, there has been a son given to us; and the princely rule will come to be upon his shoulder. And his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6, NWT, emphasis mine). 185

186 Jesus is The Shepherd Psalm 23:1 "The LORD is my shepherd" The NWT reads, "Jehovah is my shepherd." Psalm 95:6-7 says, "O come in, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before Jehovah our Maker. For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasturage and the sheep of his hand" (NWT). Psalm 100:3 says, "Know that Jehovah is God. It is he that has made us, and not we ourselves. [We are] his people and the sheep of his pasturage" (NWT). 186

187 Jesus is The Shepherd The Jews of Jesus' time would have known from the scriptures that it is Jehovah who is Shepherd over his people. They knew their Old Testament, and they knew the imagery contained therein. Jehovah is Shepherd. 187

188 Jesus is The Shepherd Jesus came along, addressed an Orthodox Jewish crowd, a crowd which knew their Old Testament, a crowd which understood well that Jehovah was Shepherd. To this crowd he said in John 10:11, "I am the fine shepherd" (NWT) and again in verse 14, "I am the fine shepherd" (NWT). Make no mistake about it; they knew what he was saying. When we honestly compare scripture with scripture, we also should know exactly what Jesus was saying. Jesus is the Jehovah of the Old Testament. 188

189 Jesus is the Jehovah of the Old Testament Henry Clarence Thiessen writes: Things that are in the Old Testament said of Jehovah are in the New Testament said of Christ. He was creator (Ps. 102:24-27 ; Heb. 1:10-12), was seen by Isaiah (Isa. 6:1-4 ; John 12:41), was to be preceded by a forerunner (Isa. 40:3 ; Matt. 3:3), disciplines his people (Num 21:6f. ; 1 Cor. 10:9), is to be regarded as holy (Isa 8:13 ; 1 Pet. 3:15), is to lead captivity captive (Ps. 68:18 ; Eph. 4:8), and is to be the object of faith (Joel 2:32 ; Rom. 10:9, 13). Thiessen, Henry Clarence, Lectures in Systematic Theology, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, p

190 Thiessen writes: The Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is recognized as God. a. He is a person. Before it can be demonstrated that the Holy Spirit is God, it must first be established that he is a person, not a mere influence or divine power. This is done along the following lines: (1) Personal pronouns are used of him. Though the Greek term for spirit is neuter, Jesus in John 14:26 and 16:13f. used the masculine demonstrative pronoun "he" (that one) of the Holy Spirit. (2) He is called Helper (Comforter). This designation is applied both to the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 26 ; 15:26 ; 16:7) and to Christ (John 14:16 ; 1 John 2:1), and since it expressed personality when applied to Christ, it must do so when applied to the Spirit. Thiessen, Henry Clarence, Lectures in Systematic Theology, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, p

191 The Holy Spirit (3) Personal characteristics are ascribed to him. He has three essential elements of personality: intellect (1 Cor. 2:11), sensibilities (Rom. 8:27 ; 15:30), and will (1 Cor. 12:11)... Personal acts are performed by him. He regenerates (John 3:5), teaches (John 14:26), bears witness (John 15:26), convicts (John 16:8-11), guides into truth (John 16:13), glorifies Christ (John 16:14), calls man into service (Acts 13:2), speaks (Acts 13:2 ; Rev. 2:7), directs men in service (Acts 16:6f.), intercedes (Rom. 8:26), searches out (1 Cor. 2:10), and works (1 Cor. 12:11)... He relates to the Father and the Son as a person. This is the case in the baptismal formula (Matt. 28:19), in the apostolic benediction (2 Cor. 13:14), and in his office as administrator of the church (1 Cor. 12:4-6 ; cf. also 1 Pet. 1:1f. ; Jude 20f.)... Thiessen, Henry Clarence, Lectures in Systematic Theology, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, p

192 The Holy Spirit He is susceptible of personal treatment. He can be tempted (Acts 5:9), lied to (Acts 5:3), grieved (Eph. 4:30; Isa. 63:10), resisted (Acts 7:51), insulted (Heb. 10:29), and blasphemed (Matt. 12:31f.)... He is distinguished from his own power (Acts 10:38 ; Rom. 15:13 ; 1 Cor. 2:4). All these things prove that the Holy Spirit is a person, not a mere influence. b. He is deity. He is not, however, merely a person. He is a divine person. This can be shown in several ways: (1) Attributes of deity are affirmed of him. He is eternal (Heb. 9:14), omniscient (1 Cor. 2:10f. ; John 14:26 ; 16:12f.), omnipotent (Luke 1:35), and omnipresent (Ps. 139:7-10). Thiessen, Henry Clarence, Lectures in Systematic Theology, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, p

193 The Holy Spirit (2) Works of deity are ascribed to him, such as creation (Gen. 1:2; Job 33:4; Ps. 104:30), regeneration (John 3:5), inspiration of the Scriptures (2 Pet. 1:21; cf. Acts 1:16; 28:25), and raising of the dead (Rom. 8:11). (3) The way in which he is associated with the Father and the Son proves not only his personality, but also his deity, as the baptismal formula (Matt. 28:19), the apostolic benediction (2 Cor. 13:14), and the administration of the church (1 Cor. 12:4-6). Thiessen, Henry Clarence, Lectures in Systematic Theology, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, p

194 The Holy Spirit (4) The words and works of the Holy Spirit are considered as the words and works of God (cf. Isa. 6:9f. with John 12:39-41 and Acts 28:25-27; Exod. 16:7 with Ps. 95:8-11 ; Isa. 63:9f. with Heb. 3:7-9 ; Gen. 1:27 with Job 33:4. (5) Finally, he is expressly called God (Acts 5:3f. ; 2 Cor. 3:17f.). Other divine names are also given to him (cf. Exod. 17:7 with Heb. 3:7-9; and 2 Tim. 3:16 with 2 Pet. 1:21). All these references prove that the Holy Spirit, equally with the Father and the Son, is God... Orthodox Christianity has always held to the deity of the Holy Spirit. Thiessen, Henry Clarence, Lectures in Systematic Theology, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, p

195 Who Dwells in Christians? The Bible teaches that when a person trusts Christ as Savior, God indwells his or her heart in the person of the Holy Spirit. Paul writes: "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" (1 Corinthians 6:19, emphasis mine). Along the same line, he writes to Timothy: "That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us" (2 Timothy 1:14, emphasis mine). 195

196 Who Dwells in Christians? It is the Holy Spirit who lives in believers. With that in mind, let's compare scripture with scripture and look at Colossians 1:27: "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you" (Colossians 1:27, emphasis mine). The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit lives inside Christians, and the Bible also teaches that it is Christ who lives in Christians. To go even further, we read in 1 John 4:12 that "God dwelleth in us" (1 John 4:12, emphasis mine.) 196

197 Who Dwells in Christians? What! Do YOU not know that the body of YOU people is [the] temple of the holy spirit within YOU (1 Corinthians 6:19, NWT) This fine trust guard through the holy spirit which is dwelling in us. (2 Timothy 1:14, NWT) It is Christ in union with YOU, the hope of [his] glory. (Colossians 1:27, NWT) If we continue loving one another, God remains in us and his love is made perfect in us. (1 John 4:12, NWT) 197

198 Who Dwells in Christians? Colossians 1:27; Diaglott; "Christ in you" Colossians 1:27; NWT; "union with" added to translation despite it not being in the Greek manuscripts, and to make it more deceptive it wasn't put in brackets! 198

199 Who Dwells in Christians? 1 John 4:12; Diaglott; "God dwells/abides in us" 1 John 4:12; NWT; "remains" is a bad translation. It muddies the point that it is God who dwells in us, as the Greek shows. 199

200 Who Dwells in Christians? 1 Corinthians 6:19: The Holy Spirit lives in Christians 2 Timothy 1:14: The Holy Spirit lives in Christians Colossians 1:27: Christ lives in Christians. 1 John 4:12: God lives in Christians 200

201 Idolatry The Watchtower publication "Should You Believe in the Trinity" does a good job pointing out a lot of abuses done as a result of the doctrine of the "Trinity." Caption reads: "This centuries old sculpture in France depicts the coronation of the "virgin" Mary by the Trinity. Belief in the Trinity led to veneration of Mary as the "Mother of God." Should You Believe in the Trinity?, Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, p